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(Model.)

W. W. HUTCHINS. GASOLINE GAN.

N. PETERS, Phnmumgnpher, washington Dlt;

. `UNrrEio STATES PATENT OFFICE,

vWILEUE w. HUToHINs, or NEWPORT, vEEMoNT.l

GAsoLlNE-CAN."

'SPECIFICATION forming peri of Letters Patent No. 377,520, dated February 7,1388.

' Application filed November 2l, 1887. Serial No. 255,804. (Model.)

.To all'whom iv' may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBUE W. HUroHINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at N ewport, in the county of Orleans and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gasoline-Cans, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in lamp-fillers; and it consists in acap for the oilcan having a short pipe through it to which the bulb is applied, and in which is placed a valve to retain all of the surplus air and gas in the can, and a iiexible tube connected to the 'outlet of the can and providedwith a valve which is operated by springs, as will be morefully described hereinafter.

The objects of my invention areto pass a pipe through the air-tightfitting cap of the can,to which the bulb or other air-compressing device is applied, and in which is placed an automatically-closing valve which will prevent the escape of the compressed air or gas from the can when the bulb is removed, and to attach to the outlet-pipe a spring-actuated tightly-closing valve, which is operated by being forced intothe opening in the lamp, and which,

. when withdrawn, is instantly closed, so as to stop the iow of oil, gasoline, or other fluid from the can.

Figure l represents a side elevation of a lampller embodying my invention, partly in secn tion. Fig. 2 is a detached view of the cap, showing the outlet-pipe connected thereto. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the metallic pipes I J and their attachments,

A represents an ordinary oil-can, which is provided with a tightly-fitting screw-cap, B, in the usual manner. Passing through this cap B is a tube, C, which has its upper end to extend a suitable distance above the cap, so as to allow the bulb D to be applied directly thereto.- For the sake of convenience, a short metallic tube, E, is connected to the bulb, and the lower end of this tube forms a tight joint with the upper projecting end of the tube C, as shown. The lower end of the tube C projects below the top of the cap sufficiently far, and in it is placed an automatically-closing valve, F. lWhen the bulb is compressed, air is forced into the can upon the top of the duid until a sufiicientatmospheric pressure has been lamps at any time, it can be retained in the can by the valve, and thus be held ready for use at another time. This valve also serves to prevent the escape of any of the gas or vapor from the can and to keep any ofthe fluid in the can from splashing `out during transportation. l

In lamp-fillers heretofore used, when the bulb is removed .from the can, all of the 4surplus air in the can escapes at the same time, and hence the air must be compressed in the; can each time it is desired to lill the lamps if ythe bulb has not been left in position. By the construe?. tion here shown it is immaterial whether the bulb is removed or not from the cap of thecan, for the valve in the tube C retains the air until the cap itself is removed or all of the fluid in the can has been forced therefrom through the outlet-pipe G in the usual manner.

The inner end of the outlet-pipe extends to or ynear the bottom of the can, and to the outer end of the pipe G is attached the iiexible tube H, of any desired length, and to the outer end of this tube is connected the metallic pipe I. Placed over the outer end of the metallic pipe I is the tube or pipe J, which has an endwise movement uponthe one, I, and which has its outer end closed by means of a cork or plug, L, of any kind, and is provided with the openings O in `its sides. Rigidly fastened to the outer end of this pipe J and to the metallic pipe I are the two springs P, which may either be shaped as here shown or in any other manner that may be preferred. When these springs are compressed, either by being forced into an opening in the lamp-bowl or by the pressure from the hands of the operator, the pipe J is forced outwardly upon the pipe I, so as.r to move the plug L from against the end of the pipe I, and thus allow the oil to flow from the pipe I through the openings in the pipe J into the lamp-bowl. Thesesprings exert theirtension in pressing the plug L in the pipe J tightly against the end of theepipe I, and thus prevent the escape of any duid to the pipe at any time. When the springs are compressed, the tube J is removed outward upon the pipe ICO I, so that the pressure of air within the can can freely force the oil outward for the purpose of filling the lamp.

The operator has but to work the bulb until a suitable amount of air is compressed in the can, and then insert the ends of the tubes I J into the opening in the lamp suiciently far to have the springs come in contact with opposite sides of the opening, and thus force the tube J outward, so as to withdraw the end of the pipeI from against the plug L, when the oil will flow into the lamp until filled. In withdrawing the device from the lamp the springs instantly close the discharge. As above stated, after the air has once been compressed in the can it is held there by the valve in the tube G, and then the bulb may be re moved, so as to be out of the way in carrying the can around. The can is set upon the table near the lamp, and when the tubes are forced into the opening in the lamp the oil is forced out by the air. This flow will continue as long vas there is pressure enough in the can to cause the flow, or until the supply of oil in the can has been exhausted.

As shown iu Fig. 2, the outlet-pipe may be connected directly to the cap, so that the whole attachment can be removed at will from one can and applied to another whenever so desired. In this case, if the can has an outletpipe, like the usual oil-cans, the mouth of the pipe must be closed, so as to prevent the es cape of air through it. y

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination of the can, the tightlyfitting cap, the tube extending through the cap and provided with a valve, and adapted at its outer end to receive the bulb, the valve being adapted to close from the pressure of air within the can, and thus retain the air whether the bulb is removed or not, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the can provided with an outlet-pipe, G, the flexible tube, the pipes I J, and the springs connected to the pipes, one of the pipes being provided with a plug to close the end of the other pipe and with openings through which the oil escapes, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the oil-can provided with an outlet-pipe, G, the iiexible tube connected to the outer end of the pipe G, the metallic pipe I, the pipe J, which fits over the outer end of the pipe I and provided with escape-openings, the plug L, placed in the outer end of the pipe J, and the springs, which are secured to the two pipes, and which are adapted to be compressed by being forced into the opening in the lamp, substantially as set forth.

4. A lamp-lling attachment for oilcans, consisting of the combination of the cap, a valved air-pipe extending through it, an aircompressor which can be attached to the pipe, an-out1etpipe for the oil secured to the cap, a flexible tube, the metallic pipes I J, and the springs connected to the pipes, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I do aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses:

HARMoN S. GRAvEs, CHARLEs E. ALLEN.

WILBUR W. HUToHrNs. 

